St Eustachius' Church, Tavistock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Eustachius' Church, Tavistock |
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St Eustachius' Church, Tavistock
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 St Eustachius' Church, Tavistock
Location in Devon
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| 50°32′58.7″N 4°8′40.1″W / 50.549639°N 4.144472°W | |
| Location | 5A Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8AU |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Eustace |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Designated | 7 September 1951 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tavistock |
| Deanery | Tavistock |
| Archdeaconry | Plymouth |
| Diocese | Exeter |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Eustachius' Church in Tavistock is a very old and important church in Devon, England. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a special historical place. This church belongs to the Church of England and is part of the Diocese of Exeter.
Contents
The Church's Long History
The church building has been on this spot for a very long time. Records show it was here as early as 1193, and definitely by 1265.
Early Building Work
In 1318, Abbot Robert Champeaux from Tavistock Abbey rebuilt parts of the church. More building work happened in 1352 and 1380.
Major Changes in the 1400s
Most of the church was rebuilt in the 15th century. A new chancel, which is the area around the altar, was added at the east end. Between 1445 and 1447, a south aisle was built. This was paid for by Constance Coffyn, who left money for it in her will.
Restorations in the 1800s and 1900s
A big restoration project took place from 1844 to 1845. The architect John Hayward led this work. During this time, a new pulpit made of Caen stone was added. A new reading desk, an oak screen for the organ, and carved ends for the pews were also installed. An old gallery was removed, and a new area for the organ was built in the north aisle. The church reopened on 26 June 1845.
In 1896, the font, which is a basin used for baptisms, was moved to the west end of the south aisle.
Another restoration happened between 1902 and 1903. The choir stalls were moved from the chancel, and new marble flooring was put in. The main part of the church (nave) and its side aisles also got new floors. The roofs were repaired, and new angel figures were placed back in their original spots. New brass lights were hung from the roof, and the seating was rearranged. The architect for this work was George Fellowes Prynne.
A new reredos, which is a screen or decoration behind the altar, was added in 1929. It was designed by A.S. Parker and carved by J.R. Hunt.
Church Leaders: Vicars of St Eustachius'
The vicar is the priest in charge of the church. Over many centuries, many vicars have served St Eustachius' Church. Here are some of the people who have led the church:
- 1309 Sir John de Cameleforde
- 1311 Sir John de Ockhampton
- 1318 Sir Robert Bodyer
- 1349 Richard de Bolham
- 1360 John, vicar of Boyton
- 1361 Baldwin Langdon
- 1382 David Bagatorre
- 1391 John Hykedon, vicar of Landkey
- 1400 John Lucas
- 1416 Roger Sturt
- 1416 John Borneslo
- 1427 Edmund Rawly
- 1434 William Mede
- 1439 John Kene
- 1443 John Skynner (or Shynner)
- 1460 Richard Haukeden
- 1534 William Lawnder
- 1554 John Perins
- 1584 Ralph Taylor
- 1585 Timothy Fisher
- 1587 Laurence Prychard
- 1592 Walter Ware
- 1600 Richard Adams
- 1603 John Ellistone
- 1612 Edward Elyott
- 1632 John Blythman
- 1638 George Hughes
- 1649 Thomas Larkham
- 1661 Samuel Brown(e)
- 1662 Thomas Glanvil
- 1673 Jasper Cann
- 1690 William Hame
- 1697 John Rennell
- 1701 Nathaniel Beard
- 1731 William Brown
- 1747 Thomas Salmon
- 1758 John Jago
- 1796 Richard Sleman
- 1812 Edward Atkyns Bray
- 1857 Osborne John Tancock
- 1872 William John Tait
- 1883 Daniel Pring Alford
- 1895 Henry Godfrey Le Neveu
- 1918 Hugh Leslie Bickersteth
- 1946 Basil Tudor Guy
- 1956 George Hodgshon
- 1966 Roy Wyndham Stevenson
- 1973 Richard Gilpin
- 1992 John Rawlings
- 2007 Michael Brierley (priest in charge)
- 2015 Christopher Hardwick
- 2022 Matt Godfrey
The Church Organ
The church has had an organ for a very long time. The first mention of an organ needing repairs was in 1538. By the 1790s, there was a barrel organ, which plays music automatically.
The Current Organ
The organ you see today was built by J.W. Walker and Sons. It was first played on 25 June 1846 by a famous musician named Samuel Sebastian Wesley.
In 1879, carved statues were added to the organ case. Later, other companies like Hele and Company and Lance Foy made changes and additions. Now, it is a large organ with three keyboards and 51 different sounds, called stops. You can find more details about this organ in the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organists of the Church
The organist is the person who plays the organ for church services. For a while, the Duke of Bedford paid the organist's salary. By 1875, the salary was about £61 10s a year. The Duke decided it was time for the church members to pay for it themselves.
- Samuel Sebastian Wesley 1846
- John Frederick Thynne 1846 - 1877
- Alexander Luke Vingoe 1877 - 1878
- Charles John Vincent 1878 - 1883
- John Tomlinson 1883 - 1906
- William Clotworthy 1907 - 1942
- Harold Charles Lake 1942 - 1956
The Church Bells
The church tower has a set of 10 bells. Eight of these bells were made in 1925 by John Taylor and Company of Loughborough. In 1998, two more new bells were added by the same company, making a total of 10 bells that can be rung together.
